THE FOUNDER (4.4.14) - Rob Siegel

THE FOUNDER
by
Robert Siegel
April 4, 2014
Agent: Gregory McKnight

Creative Artists Agency
424-288-2000
INT. ED’S DRIVE-IN - KITCHEN - DAY
The kitchen of a drive-in restaurant outside St. Louis. It’s

1954. Traveling salesman RAY KROC (52) stands before a
sample MIXING MACHINE, making his pitch to the OWNER.
RAY KROC
Now, I know what you’re thinking:
“What the heck do I need a five
spindle for? I
barely sell enough
shakes to justify my single
spindle.” Right? Wrong.
(BEAT)
Mr. Paul, are you familiar with the
notion of the chicken and the egg?
I mention it because I believe it’s
applicable here: Do you not need a
Multimixer because you’re not
selling enough shakes? Or are you
not selling enough shakes because
you don’t have a Multimixer? I
firmly believe it’s the latter. You
see, your customers, they know that
if they order a milkshake from your
establishment, it’s going to be a
terrific wait. They’ve ordered one
before, and by golly they’re not
gonna make that same mistake again.
But if you had, say, a Prince
Castle five-spindle Multimixer with
patented direct-drive electric
motor, you could greatly increase
your ability to produce delicious,
frosty shakes fast. And before
long, mark my words, dollars to
donuts, you’d be selling more of
those suckers than you can shake a
stick at. Increase your supply,
demand will follow. Chicken and the
egg. You follow my logic? Of course
you do--you’re a bright, forward
thinking fella
who knows a good
idea when he hears it.
(BEAT)
So whaddaya say?
ON THE OWNER-- pondering thoughtfully.

(BEAT)
OWNER
Nah.
Thanks anyway.
2.
EXT. ED’S DRIVE-IN - PARKING LOT - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc lugs the heavy Mulitmixer back to his car. He lifts

it into the trunk, wincing from his bad back.
INT. KROC’S CAR - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc sits in his car checking his APPOINTMENT BOOK. His

next sales call: DEE DEE’S DRIVE-IN - 1 P.M.
He checks his watch. It’s 12:05. He turns on the car,

pulls into a customer spot in front of Ed’s Drive-In.
He looks at the MENU BOARD, taking in the vast, seemingly
random assortment of items: BBQ beef sandwiches, hot
tamales, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chili dogs,
etc.
INT. KROC’S CAR - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc sits in his car, waiting for his food. He looks at
his watch. It’s 12:50
. He lets out a heaving, exasperated
sigh.
KROC’S POV, the view out his windshield: a rowdy

TEEN-HANGOUT SCENE. Rock-and-roll blasting from cars;
female CARHOPS on rollerskates dodging grabby male patrons;
leather-jacketed, cigarette-smoking hoodlums smacking each
other around.
Kroc is the oldest customer by a mile--and seemingly the

only one with anywhere to be. He HONKS his horn, summoning
his CARHOP. She comes skating over holding a tray of Cokes.
RAY KROC
Miss, how much longer?
CARHOP GIRL
Should be any minute.
RAY KROC
You said that 20 minutes ago.
CARHOP GIRL
I’m sorry, we’re real--
She JUMPS/SQUEALS, startled. The tray of Cokes goes FLYING

into the car, SPILLING ALL OVER KROC’S LAP. Carhop Girl
spins around, sees a GUY behind her cracking up. He just
pinched her butt.
CARHOP
Dennis!
(re: Kroc, soaked)

Look what you made me do!
3.
DENNIS
Sorry, gramps.
Dennis scampers off toward his pack of laughing friends.

The carhop goes chasing after him, mad but not actually
mad.
ON KROC-- looking down at the pool of bubbly brown liquid

in his lap. He HONKS, leans out the window.
RAY KROC
Could I get some napkins?
No one hears him.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
ANGLE ON the pants drying on the shower’s curtain rod.
RAY KROC (O.S.)

It’s going great.
CUT TO: the NEXT ROOM. Kroc sitting on the bed, on the phone.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Lot of good leads today. Real
strong leads.
Through the phone, a tiny passive-aggressive sigh.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

(prickly)
What?
ETHEL KROC (O.S.)

Nothing. That’s wonderful.
RAY KROC
There’s a tremendous amount of
interest.
ETHEL KROC (O.S.)

I’m sure there is.
RAY KROC
You don’t believe me?
ETHEL KROC (O.S.)

Of course, Ray. Why shouldn’t I
believe you?
4.
SHORT TIME LATER--
Kroc sits on the edge of the bed, roiling from the call. He
takes off his shirt, undressing for bed. His bare torso
bears numerous surgery scars: heart, gall bladder, etc.
SHORT TIME LATER--
Kroc, in pajamas, stands before a PORTABLE PHONOGRAPH.

He drops the needle on a record.
SHORT TIME LATER--
Kroc lies in bed in the darkened room, eyes closed.

A soothing baritone fills the air--
RECORD (O.S.)
Nothing in the world can take the
place of persistence. Talent will
not; nothing is more common than
unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius
is almost a proverb.
ANGLE ON record sleeve next to the phonograph: “THE POWER

OF THE POSITIVE” BY DR. CLARENCE FLOYD NELSON
RECORD (CONT’D)
Education will not; the world is
full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone
are omnipotent.
The sound of SNORING brings us back to Kroc. Out cold.
INT. JOE’S DRIVE-IN - KITCHEN - NEXT DAY
The kitchen of another drive-in, Kroc pitching to the

OWNER. The scene is virtually identical to the previous
day’s.
RAY KROC
Increase supply, demand will
follow. Chicken and the egg. You
follow my logic? Of course you do:
You’re a bright, forward-thinking
fella who knows a good idea when he
hears it.
(BEAT)
So whaddaya say?
5.
EXT. PARKING LOT - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc lugs the sample Multimixer back to his
car. INT. KROC’S CAR - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc is pulled up to a customer spot in front of Joe’s

Drive
In. The scene before him is very much like the one at
Ed’s Drive-In, a riot of teenage rowdiness.
He looks at his watch. It’s 12:45. He HONKS, shouting out

to no one in particular:
RAY KROC
Could someone tell me when my...
He trails off as a female CARHOP approaches with a tray.

She hooks the tray onto his car door.
CARHOP
Enjoy.
She heads off. He lifts the cover off his plate, primed to
dig in. His face falls at the sight of the hamburger
beneath. He leans out the window, honks.
RAY KROC
I ordered the pulled pork!
He’s shouting into the void.
EXT. MERRIMAN’S DRIVE-IN - LATER
Another drive-in. Kroc heaves his Multimixer into his trunk.
INT. PAY PHONE - SHORT TIME LATER
A pay phone across the street from Merriman’s. A

dispirited Kroc dials a long-distance number.
JUNE MARTINO (O.S.)

Prince Castle, how may I help you?
June.
RAY KROC
Hi,
INT. PRINCE CASTLE SALES - CONTINUOUS
A modest office in a Chicago high-rise. At the reception

desk is secretary JUNE MARTINO. (Intercut as necessary.)
6.
JUNE MARTINO
Ray. How’s it going down there?
RAY KROC
Fine. Swell. Lot of interest.
JUNE MARTINO
That’s terrific. Hold on, I’ll
fetch your messages.
She grabs a pile of messages off the desk.
JUNE MARTINO (CONT’D)

Let’s see... Gene Rafferty from
United Aluminum, says he needs to
reschedule Friday; Ed Nance calling
again about the refund; a lady from
March of Dimes about a donation;
oh, and we got an order. Six.
RAY KROC
Six?
(taken JUNE
aback) MARTINO
Some drive-in out in California.
RAY KROC
One place? Are you sure?
JUNE MARTINO
I’ve got the slip right here.
RAY KROC
That makes no sense.
JUNE MARTINO
I’m positive.
RAY KROC
You must have misunderstood.
Maybe they meant six spindles.
MARTINO
Mixers.
JUNE RAY KROC
What the heck kind of drive-in

needs six Multimixers?
JUNE MARTINO
Apparently this one.
7.
RAY KROC
Where’d you say they are?
JUNE MARTINO
California. San Bernardino. Not
sure where that is.
RAY KROC
Who’d you talk to?
JUNE MARTINO
The owner. A man named...
(checks slip)
Mac McDonald.
SHORT TIME LATER--
Kroc pours a few nickels into the pay phone, dials a

number off his wrist. It rings.
YOUNG MALE EMPLOYEE (O.S.)

McDonald’s Hamburgers.
RAY KROC
Mac McDonald, please.

Who may I say is calling?
RAY KROC
Ray Kroc. Prince Castle Sales.

Hold, please.
The guy puts the phone down, heads off in search of Mac.
Through the receiver, Kroc hears the sounds of an
insanely busy——and efficient——kitchen. “Order up!”... “I
need six fries!”... “Patties up!”
MAC MCDONALD (O.S.)

This is Mac.
RAY KROC
Hello, Mac. This is Ray Kroc. From
Prince Castle Sales.
MAC MCDONALD
(not recognizing)
Alright...
RAY KROC
The Multimixers.
8.
MAC MCDONALD
Yes, yes, of course!
RAY KROC
So I’m calling about your order...
MAC MCDONALD
How soon can we expect shipment?
We’re desperate.
RAY KROC
That’s actually why I was calling.
I think there may have been a
miscommunication between you and--
In the background, someone shouts something to Mac.
MAC MCDONALD
In the freezer! Top shelf, left!
(back to Kroc)
I’m sorry. Go on.
RAY KROC
My secretary’s under the impression
that you wanted six.
MAC MCDONALD
You know what? I think that’s a
mistake.
RAY KROC
That’s what I said! There’s no way--
MAC MCDONALD
Better make it eight.
ON KROC-- flabbergasted. Another background shout.
MAC MCDONALD (CONT’D)

What’s that, Al? Use the ones from
the store room! There’s a whole new
box!
(to Kroc)
Listen, now isn’t the best time to
talk. Just try to get those mixers
out here ASAP, alright? Thanks!
Click.
Kroc stares at the receiver. What the hell was that?

His gaze drifts across the street. To a SERVICE
STATION.
9.
INT. TEXACO SERVICE STATION - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc is at the register, buying a U.S. road
map. EXT. TEXACO STATION - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc stands outside the station looking at the map. His

eyes roam California, searching. Finally, he finds it.
There it is, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles: San
Bernardino.
Kroc pulls back, looks at the whole country. He notices

something interesting. A road directly connecting St.
Louis to San Bernardino. Route 66.
ON KROC-- staring at Route 66. A single, unbroken line

running from where he is now to that mysterious city out
in Southern California.
EXT. ROUTE 66 - DAY
Kroc driving west on Route 66. Cars, the open road, a

limitless horizon. The sky, the country, the whole
world seems to open up.
His heart swells with possibility. The vastness excites

his brain. This must be how Lewis & Clark felt. And
then--
EXT. SAN BERNARDINO CITY LIMITS - ROUTE 66 - DAY
Kroc arrives in San Bernardino. A drab, dusty little town

on the edge of the desert. Hardly the pot of gold at the
end of the rainbow he was expecting. He continues along
Route 66, heading toward the center of town.
SHORT TIME LATER--
Kroc driving. He sees the line before he sees the

restaurant. A long line, hundreds of people, snaking toward
a HAMBURGER STAND in the distance.
ON KROC-- taking in the strange sight of people out of

their cars, queued up in a line leading toward a
self-service window. It’s a distinctly family crowd, lots
of parents with their children. Not a teenage delinquent
in sight.
He parks, gets out. Unsure what to do, he gets in the

line. He looks off at the restaurant, checks his watch.
It’s 1:15.
WOMAN (O.S.)
Don’t worry. It moves fast.
10.
ANGLE ON the WOMAN in front of him. No sooner does she

say this than the line moves. Kroc shuffles forward 10
feet.
SHORT TIME LATER--
Kroc in line, significantly further along. He looks at

his watch. It’s 1:19.
EXT. MCDONALD’S - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc at the front of the line. He checks his watch. 1:23.
CASHIER (O.S.)
Welcome to McDonald’s, may I take
your order?
Kroc looks up, sees a CASHIER looking at him with a
friendly smile. Like all the other cashiers, he’s male and
wholesome as apple pie.
yes...
RAY KROC
Um,
He looks up at the MENU BOARD. It has just four items:

BURGERS, FRIES, SHAKES, and COCA-COLA. A radical
departure from the typical sprawling drive-in menu.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Hamburger, fries and a Coca-Cola.
CASHIER
That’ll be 45 cents, please.
Kroc hands him two quarters.
CASHIER (CONT’D)
Five cents is your change.
Kroc barely has time to put the nickel away when--
CASHIER (CONT’D)
Here you are, sir.
The cashier hands him a paper sack. Kroc looks at it.
RAY KROC
What’s this?
food.
CASHIER
Your
11.
RAY KROC
I just ordered.
CASHIER
And now it’s here.
Kroc peers into the bag, confused. Inside is a

hamburger, fries, and a Coca-Cola in a paper cup.
Kroc lingers awkwardly at the register, unsure what to do.
RAY KROC
So now I bring it back to my car?
CASHIER
Most folks do. Or you could eat it
in the park. Or home. Anywhere you
like, really.
Kroc nods. This is all bizarre to him.
INT. KROC’S CAR - PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc sits in his car, McDonald’s bag in his lap. Out the
corner of his eye in a nearby car, he sees a GORGEOUS
BLONDE.
KROC’S POV: The blonde, biting into a hamburger. As she

chews, a look of ecstasy comes over her face. She closes
her eyes, her head tipping back a bit, borderline
orgasmic.
ON KROC-- staring at her. He looks down at his crotch.

He reaches into the McDonald’s bag.
He takes out the burger, taking note of the odd paper

packaging. He unwraps the hamburger, looking at it,
sniffing it. It looks and smells wonderful.
He takes a bite, chews. His eyes roll back in his head.

A small moan.
MAN (O.S.)
How is everything?
Kroc looks up, startled. A MAN is standing outside

his window. His necktie and demeanor suggest
manager.
RAY KROC
This is the best hamburger I’ve
ever had.
MAN
(smile)
We aim to please.
12.
The man extends a friendly hand.
MAN (CONT’D)
Mac McDonald.
Kroc.
RAY KROC
Ray
They shake. Kroc pulls a BUSINESS CARD from a pocket,

hands it to him. McDonald looks at it.
RAY KROC - PRINCE CASTLE SALES CORP. - 2310 WACKER

DRIVE, CHICAGO, ILL.
MAC MCDONALD
The Multimixer fella!
Mac looks again at the card, at the Chicago address.

What brings you way the heck out
here?
RAY KROC
Oh, I was just in Los Angeles. For
some meetings. Clients. Figured as
long as I was in the neighborhood,
I’d swing by and say hello.
MAC MCDONALD
Well, I’m glad you did. Welcome.
Kroc’s eyes drift to the busy, humming restaurant.
RAY KROC
Quite an operation you got here.
MAC MCDONALD
Care for a tour?
There’s nothing Kroc would like more.
INT. KITCHEN - SHORT TIME LATER
A bustling kitchen, organized as a series of stations.

MAC MCDONALD
(O.S.)
Speed.
ON MAC-- leading Kroc through the kitchen.

That’s the name of the game.
13.
They come to a massive GRILL manned by THREE COOKS.

First stop for every McDonald’s
hamburger is the grill, manned by
three cooks whose sole job is to
grill those all-beef beauties to
perfection.
Kroc watches the mouth-watering beef sizzling on the grill.

Meanwhile--
He leads Kroc to an adjacent station, where two DRESSERS

stand before a rotating Lazy Susan with 24 BUN TOPS on
it.

As the patty cooks, our “dressers”
get the bun ready.
DRESSER #1 puts pickle slices and onion on each bun...

Every burger gets two pickles and a
pinch of onion.
...while DRESSER #2 applies a squirt of ketchup and

mustard with a pair of trigger-operated CONDIMENT GUNS.

And a precise shot of ketchup and
mustard.
RAY KROC
(re: condiment guns)
Where’d you buy those things?
MAC MCDONALD
We didn’t. We made ‘em.
RAY KROC
hem?
You made t
MAC
MCDONALD
(nods)
Custom built. The whole kitchen

is. ON KROC-- utterly amazed.

(resuming)
Then it’s off to the finishing
station.
14.
ANGLE ON the Lazy Susan, carrying 24 fully dressed bun

tops, traveling along a belt toward a FINISHING STATION.

Where it all comes together.
A pair of FINISHERS put cooked patties onto the fully

dressed bun tops, then put on bun bottoms and neatly wrap
it up.
MAC MCDONALD
(CONT’D)
Voilá--
The finished product is fed into an angled metal sleeve that

slides them to the front counter, where cashiers can grab
and bag them with ease.

A fresh and delicious hamburger,
grill to counter in 30 seconds.
ON KROC-- dumbfounded by what he’s seen. He looks at Mac.
How? MAC
RAY KROC MCDONALD
Did I come up with all of this?
(BEAT)
I didn’t.
Kroc is confused.

(sly grin)
He did.
Kroc follows Mac’s eyes to a MAN coming toward them.

Meet Dick McDonald. My brother.
Kroc grabs Dick’s hand, enthusiastically shakes.

RAY KROC
I just have to say, what you’ve
done here is nothing short of--
DICK MCDONALD
(to Mac, ignoring Ray)
The fries.
MAC MCDONALD
What about them?
15.
Dick leads Mac toward the FRENCH FRY STATION. Kroc

follows along. Dick plucks a fry off the drying rack,
hands it to Mac, who pops it in his mouth.
(CONT’D) DICK
Perfect.
MAC MCDONALD MCDONALD
They’re five percent too crisp.
Dick takes a fry, tastes it. He frowns a little.
DICK MCDONALD (CONT’D)

I think we should drop to two
minutes, 50 seconds.
MAC MCDONALD
That’s what you had it at before.
DICK MCDONALD
400, not 375. Higher temp, shorter
cook.
Mac takes another taste. He shakes his head, not seeing it.
MAC MCDONALD
I really think they’re spot-on.
RAY KROC
(to Dick)
If it makes any difference, they’re
the best fries I’ve ever tasted.
Crispy golden brown on the outside,
fluffy on the inside. Not too oily,
perfectly salty and crunchy.
Dick stares at Ray, taking note of him for the first time.
DICK MCDONALD
Who are you?
MAC MCDONALD
This is the Multimixer fella.
RAY KROC
Ray Kroc, Prince Castle Sales.
Kroc hands Dick his card. Dick gives it a cursory glance.
DICK MCDONALD
How fast can you get ‘em out here?
RAY KROC
ASAP. Blue Label Air.
DICK MCDONALD
16.
Good.
Dick abruptly walks off, leaving Ray and Mac standing there.
MAC MCDONALD
(glances at watch)
I oughta get back to it myself.
He heads toward the front of the restaurant. Kroc follows.
RAY KROC
Let me take you out to dinner.
MAC MCDONALD
You’re really not my type.
RAY KROC
You and your brother.
MCDONALD
What for?
MAC RAY KROC
Mac, I’m gonna shoot straight with

you. This restaurant is the most
remarkable thing I’ve seen in all
my years in the food-service
industry. And believe me, I’ve seen
it all. I want to know everything
about it. Where it came from, how
you thought of it.
(eye contact)
Please. Tell me your story.
INT. STEAKHOUSE - EVENING
Kroc sits across from the brothers in a corner booth, rib

eye steaks in front of all three.
MAC MCDONALD
There wasn’t a job in all of
Manchester. All of New Hampshire,
it seemed. So we packed our bags
and headed west. To Hollywood. I
wanted to be in the movie business.
And Dick, he wanted to be in, well,
anything.
Dick gives a tiny nod as he chews his steak.

17.

We landed jobs driving trucks for
Columbia Pictures. After a few
years, we had enough saved up to
buy our own little piece of show
business. A little movie theater
out in Glendora. Which would’ve
been great--except for the small
matter of timing. It was September
of ‘29. One minute we’re screening
“Gold Diggers Of Broadway”, the
next it’s “Brother, can you spare a
dime?” Literally.
DICK MCDONALD
I couldn’t.
MAC MCDONALD
Nobody in town was making any
money. Except this one fellow,
Wylie Reid. Ran a hot dog and root
beer stand. People still gotta eat,
right? So we decide to set up our
own stand. Hot dogs and orange
juice, out in Arcadia. It did
alright, enough to keep us off the
bread line, but we were hardly
doing gangbusters. There just
weren’t enough people in Arcadia.
Meanwhile, one town over is San
Bernardino, the place is growing at
a terrific clip. We want to
relocate, but we’ve got no money
for a new stand. That’s when my
brilliant brother here gets one of
his ideas. Tell him, Dick.
Dick gives a nod of deferral. That’s okay, you tell.

“Why don’t we move the stand we’ve
got? Put it on a truck!”
(BEAT)
Genius, right? Except for one small
problem. On the road connecting the
towns, there’s an overpass. The
building doesn’t clear. I figure
that’s it, we’re done for. But then
Dick says...
He looks to Dick, who defers again.

18.

“Why don’t we saw the restaurant in
e truck the thing over in
half?” W
two pieces, put it back together!
Kroc guffaws. Mac gives Dick’s skull a loving squeeze.

Who thinks of that?
Wow. MAC
RAY KROC MCDONALD
We move the building, set up shop.
But before we open, we decide to
give the place a little tweak. It’s
1940. Drive-ins are all the rage,
the hottest thing going. I say
Dick, we gotta get in on this. Dick
says sure. Two months later, we
open for business...
(show-biz hands)
“McDonald’s Famous Barbecue!”
(BEAT)
We’ve got a 27-item menu, barbecue
slow-cooked in a real pit out back.
Uniformed waitresses bring the food
straight out to your car. It does
gangbusters, going great guns. But
then... sales start to level off.
The drive-in model, as we discover,
has got a few built-in problems.
Kroc leans in, eager to hear their perspective on this.

For starters, there’s the customer
issue. Drive-ins tend to attract,
let’s just say, a less-than
desirable clientele.
DICK MCDONALD
(grim nod)
Teenagers.
MAC MCDONALD
Hot rodders and hooligans.
RAY KROC
Juvenile delinquents in blue jeans.
19.
MAC MCDONALD
Then there’s the service. It takes
forever and a day for your food to
arrive. And when it finally does...
RAY KROC
It’s completely wrong.
MAC MCDONALD
The carhops are too busy dodging
gropes to remember you wanted a
strawberry phosphate, not cherry.
RAY KROC
If they remember at all.
MAC MCDONALD
Then there’s the expenses. Payroll
is high due to the large staff
required. Dishes are constantly
getting stolen or broken.
DICK MCDONALD
Tremendous overhead.
MAC MCDONALD
We’re about to throw in the towel
when Dick has a realization. One
day, while going over the books, he
notices something. The bulk of our
sales come from just three items.
Burgers, fries, soft drinks.
DICK MCDONALD
87 percent.
MAC MCDONALD
We say to ourselves, what the heck
are we doing monkeying around with
all this other nonsense? Focus on
what sells.
Yes. MAC
RAY KROC MCDONALD
And that’s just what we do.
Tamales, gone.
Brisket, gone. And
we don’t stop at the menu. We look
at everything. What else don’t we
need? Turns out, quite a lot.
DICK
MCDONALD
Carhops.
20.
MAC MCDONALD
Walk up to a window. Get your food
yourself.
MAC
Dishes.
DICK MCDONALD
MCDONALD
All paper packaging. Disposable.
DICK MCDONALD
Jukeboxes. Cigarette machines.
MAC MCDONALD
Drive out the riff-raff. Create a
family-friendly environment.
Kroc nods, connecting immensely.

And finally, the biggest, most

crucial cut of all: The wait.
DICK MCDONALD
30 seconds, not 30 minutes.
MAC MCDONALD
We decide to tear down the
kitchen. Rebuild, reconfigure,
rethink the
whole darn thing. And you’re gonna
love how we do it. Tell him,
Dick. Tell him what you do.
DICK MCDONALD
The tennis court?
MAC MCDONALD
He brings me to this tennis
court, takes a stick, draws an
outline in the dirt. Exact
dimensions of our
kitchen. He brings in a bunch of
employees, has them go through
the motions, moving around the
court
making imaginary hamburgers,
shakes and fries. Dick’s
following after
them with the stick, marking up
where all the equipment should go.
They do it over and over,
tweaking, adjusting, hashing out
the moves.
Choreographing like it’s some
kinda crazy burger ballet.
Finally, after about six hours of
this, we get it perfect. A
symphony of efficiency, not a
wasted motion.
(MORE)
21.
MAC MCDONALD (CONT'D)
We take the layout to a builder,
have it custom-made to the exact
specs. Ta-da! The Speedee System is
born, the world’s first assembly
line for food. It’s totally
revolutionary.
DICK MCDONALD
And a complete disaster.
MAC MCDONALD
Opening day, people pull into the
lot, they immediately start honking
when no carhop comes over. We try
to explain the walk-up window.
They’re bewildered. Furious.
“Whaddaya mean I gotta get out of
my car?” Most of them just cuss us
out and drive off. The few that
stick around are outraged about
having to eat off paper and throw
out their own trash.
DICK MCDONALD
We may have underestimated the
learning curve.
MAC MCDONALD
By five o’clock, Dick’s already
calculating the cost of converting
back to drive-in. But me, I’m not
quite ready to throw in the towel.
Going back to my Hollywood roots, I
say to myself, “We gotta go big
”
with this. We gotta put on a show.
I tell Dick I want to throw a grand
re-opening. A gala premiere to put
Louis B. Mayer to shame! We rent a
bunch of spotlights, the very same
ones we used to truck around to
premieres in the Columbia days. I
get a brass band, a juggler for the
People show
kiddies, it’s an event.
up in droves. And then...
DICK
The flies.
MCDONALD MCDONALD
MAC
Swarms of them. Millions.
DICK MCDONALD
They must have been drawn by
all the lights.
22.
MAC MCDONALD
People are running, screaming. It’s
a complete disaster. Towel time.
(BEAT)
The next morning, Dick and I meet
up at the restaurant to discuss
going back to the old format. As
we’re talking, there’s a knock at
the service window. Dick goes over,
he sees a little boy standing
there. Wants a bag of burgers.
DICK MCDONALD
I tell him we’re closed.
MAC MCDONALD
But he’s a cute kid, I feel bad. I
fire up the grill, make him a
batch. As he’s heading off, a car
pulls into the lot. Then another.
And another. Before long, there’s
lines around the block.
(amazed smile)
Word has spread.
DICK MCDONALD
And it’s off to the races.
MAC MCDONALD
We’re an overnight sensation.
Thirty years in the making.
ON KROC-- absorbing all of this, blown away.

(shrugs)
So that’s our story.
INT. MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Kroc lies awake in bed, unable to sleep.
Buzzing. EXT. MCDONALD’S - NEXT MORNING
Mac and Dick pull into the McDonald’s lot in Dick’s

car. They’re startled to see--
KROC, sitting on a bench out front. Kroc pops up,

approaches the car. Before Dick can fully roll down his
window:

e.
RAY KROC
Franchis
23.
DICK MCDONALD
I beg your pardon?
RAY KROC
Franchise. Franchise this thing.
It’s too good to be just one
location. There ought to be
McDonald’s everywhere. Coast to
coast, sea to shining sea. And I’m
just the man to help you do it.
I’ve spent the better part of my
life criss-crossing this country. I
know every highway and byway, every
city and every town. I’ve paid
sales calls to them all.
DICK MCDONALD
Mr. Kroc...
RAY KROC
Let me just say one more thing. One
more thing. I want to confess
something to you boys. I’m not out
here in California for any business
meetings. I’m out here for you.
You’re what brought me out here. A
few days ago, I was standing
outside a filling station in St.
Louis, staring at a U.S. road map.
Staring at a long, white line
called Route 66. I took my finger--
MCDONALD
Mr. Kroc--
DICK RAY KROC
--I took my finger, and I traced

that line from where I was
standing there in St. Louis all
to California, where
the way out
it ran smack
dab into this place
where we’re standing now. As I
stared at that line, something
told me to follow it. Something
told me to get in my car and see
what’s out there at the other
end. And when I laid eyes on your
hamburger stand yesterday, all
those hundreds of people lined up
to buy your remarkable product, I
just knew it was--
DICK MCDONALD
We already tried!!
24.
INT. MCDONALD’S - BACK OFFICE - SHORT TIME

LATER Kroc stands before a wall with the
brothers.
MAC
Five. MCDONALD
They’re looking at a MAP of California and the

southwest, five red pushpins in it.

Three in Southern California, one
up in Sacramento, one in Phoenix.
DICK MCDONALD
And that’s all there will ever be.
How come? MAC
RAY KROC MCDONALD
Two words: Quality control.
DICK MCDONALD
It’s nigh impossible to enforce
any real standards from afar.
RAY KROC
But if you had someone in charge
of supervising...
MCDONALD
We did.
MAC RAY KROC
What happened?
MAC MCDONALD
He fell ill.
RAY KROC
So replace him.
DICK MCDONALD
It’s not worth the hassle. Our
energies are far better spent
making sure this restaurant is the
best it can possibly be.
RAY KROC
But if you had somebody else
worrying about it--
25.
DICK MCDONALD
(sharp)
Not worth the hassle.
Kroc looks at Mac, who nods in agreement with his
brother-- not entirely convincingly. Does Kroc detect a
rift between the brothers on this issue?

Thanks, anyway.
Kroc’s eye goes to something else on the wall... a

BLUEPRINT. The building has towering arches on each side.
RAY KROC
What’s that?
DICK MCDONALD
A blueprint.
Those. MAC
RAY KROC MCDONALD
The arches? Those were Dick’s
idea. A way to make the place
stand out
when you’re driving past.
Kroc stares at them, intrigued.

(admiring smile)
“The Golden Arches”, I call ‘em.
RAY KROC
Ever build one like that?
Phoenix.
MAC
Just one. MCDONALD
(BEAT
)
Kroc’s eyes go to the Phoenix pushpin.
EXT. ROUTE 66 - FLAGSTAFF, ARIZ. - NIGHT
Kroc is driving through Flagstaff, heading home on Route

66. He passes a road sign: I-17 SOUTH - PHOENIX - NEXT
RIGHT
He takes an impulsive detour.

26.
EXT. CENTRAL AVENUE (PHOENIX) - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc drives down Phoenix’s Central Avenue. He sees the

arches before he sees the restaurant.
Kroc pulls into the empty lot (the restaurant is closed). He
gets out, looks up at the arches. They’re lit up and
glowing. Glorious, magical.
He does a slow lap around the building, taking in the

arches from all angles. Halfway around, the shifting
perspective causes the arches to meet. They form a giant
“M” (the McDonald’s logo as we know it today), 30 feet
high.
ON KROC-- standing before the “M”, bathed in its

golden, glowing light. Like Moses before the Burning
Bush.
EXT. ROUTE 66 - SOMEWHERE IN OKLAHOMA - NEXT DAY Kroc is

driving through the heartland, taking in the scenery.
SERIES OF SHOTS: Kroc passing through various small

towns, each with a Main Street running through it. On
every Main Street, we see the same two things: a church
and courthouse.
Glimpses of various churches and courthouses. Churches

topped with crosses. Courthouses with American flags.
ON KROC-- processing, wheels turning.
INT. KROC’S HOUSE (DES PLAINES, IL) - EVENING - NEXT DAY
A modest home in the Chicago suburbs. Kroc comes

bursting through the door.
RAY KROC
(looking around)
Ethel!
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
ETHEL (53) is at the table, eating dinner by herself.

Kroc comes bursting in, burning with excitement.
RAY KROC
I’ve seen the future!
ON ETHEL-- seeing that look in his eye. Her face falls.

ETHEL
KROC
Not
again.
27.
RAY KROC
(ignoring)
I saw a restaurant, Ethel. Like
nothing you’ve ever seen. It’s
going to change the way people——
KROC RAY
No, Ray.
ETHEL KROC
This is different.
ETHEL KROC
It’s always different. Every time.
RAY KROC
Just hear me out.
ETHEL KROC
“The Fold-A-Nook! The
miraculous fold-out dining
table that will forever change
the American kitchen!”
RAY KROC
This place, it’s like something
sprung from the mind of Henry
Ford.
ETHEL KROC
“The wax paper cup!”
RAY KROC
They’ve got this system, it’s
called the “Speedee System”--
ETHEL KROC
(to self)
Stupid you. You actually thought
he wouldn’t pull this again.
RAY KROC
Just hear me out.
ETHEL KROC
I’m too old to start over, Ray.
I can’t do it again.
RAY KROC
Don’t you want to be a part of
greatness?
ETHEL KROC
I want to be part of a cruise.
(BEAT )
)
(MORE
28.
ETHEL KROC (CONT'D)

All our friends are taking trips,
getting ready for retirement,
enjoying their golden years. And
us? We’re still scrapping and
scraping like a couple of 25-year
olds. Like a
couple of dopes.
RAY KROC
There’ll be plenty of time for
trips.
KROC RAY
When,
Ray? KROC
ETHEL
Soon. I promise.
ETHEL KROC
Dorothy and Walter are on the
Queen Mary.
RAY KROC
We can do that.
ETHEL KROC
Don and Rosalie just went to Cuba.
RAY KROC
If this is as big as I think,
we can buy Cuba.
ETHEL KROC
I don’t want to buy Cuba, I
just want to sip a rum punch
there!
RAY KROC
All I’m talking about is a little
temporary sacrifice.
ETHEL KROC
Sacrifice? Sacrifice? All I’ve
done is sacrifice! 30 years,
tightening our belts, going into
debt, digging out of holes--only
to have you throw us in a new
one.
RAY KROC
Ethel...
29.
ETHEL KROC
And here we go again. Just when
we’re finally getting our heads
above water, just when we finally
paid off that horrid second
mortgage you took out to buy into
Multimixer, you find some new
windmill to chase.
RAY KROC
This is no windmill. It’s a
restaurant.
(wide-eyed)
A hamburger stand.
ETHEL KROC
Hamburger stand?
RAY KROC
That doesn’t even begin to do it
justice.
ETHEL KROC
A hamburger stand?!
(throws up hands, disgust)
For the love of Pete!
He glares at her, pissed.
RAY KROC
You know what, Ethel? I’ve just
about had it with your small
mindedness.
ETHEL KROC
And I’ve just about had it with
your mind. One cockamamie idea
after another. And now, the
cockamamiest of all.
RAY KROC
I should have known better than to
expect you’d get it.
ETHEL KROC
What’s to get? You’re going to dive
headlong into this thing, and then
at some point down the road, you’re
either going to get bored and move
on, or it’s gonna crash and burn.
More likely the latter.
30.
RAY KROC
Maybe if I had a wife who had an
ounce of vision, who gave me an
ounce of support.
ETHEL KROC
Don’t blame me for your middling,
aimless career.
RAY KROC
Aimless? All I have are aims!
ETHEL KROC
This is a nightmare. My life is a
nightmare. I’m stuck in an endless
loop, forever starting over. Every
five years, back to square one.
RAY KROC
You know what, Ethel? Go to hell!
ETHEL KROC
Too late, Ray! I’m already there!
KROC
Screw you!
He storms off.
RAY KROC ETHEL
I MARRIED SISYPHUS!
EXT. MOVIE THEATER - SHORT TIME LATER

Kroc, still steaming, steps to the ticket window.
RAY KROC
One ticket, please.
INT. MOVIE THEATER - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc sits in the theater, the light of the screen

flickering off his face. A sweeping orchestral score
rises.
ANGLE ON screen: A title card, big and bold:
MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION
ON KROC-- staring at the words.

31.
INT. KROC’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Kroc lies on the couch, too worked up to sleep. (It’s

unclear if he’s there by choice or he’s been banished by
Ethel.)
INT. PRINCE CASTLE SALES - KROC’S OFFICE -

CONTINUOUS Kroc paces, ringing phone to his ear.
EMPLOYEE (O.S.)
McDonald’s Hamburgers.
RAY KROC
Mac McDonald, please.
EMPLOYEE (O.S.)
He’s not in at the moment.
RAY KROC
Dick, then.
The employee puts the phone down, goes off to check.

Through it, Kroc hears what sounds like a BIG CROWD.
EMPLOYEE (O.S.)
I’m sorry, he’ll have to call you
back. We’re real busy.
Kroc glances at his watch, puzzled by the commotion.

RAY KROC
What time is it there?
(O.S.) RAY
10:20.
EMPLOYEE KROC
What time do you open?

EMPLOYEE
(O.S.)
11.
ON KROC-- amazed. They don’t even open for another

40 minutes.
INT. JOHNSON’S DRIVE-IN - KITCHEN - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc out on a sales call to a local drive-in. He gives

his standard spiel--
32.
RAY KROC
(flat, distracted)
Mr. Johnson, are you familiar with
the notion of the chicken and the
egg? I mention it because I think
it’s applicable here.
EXT. JOHNSON’S DRIVE-IN - PARKING LOT - SHORT TIME

LATER Kroc hauls the sample Multimixer back to his
car.
EXT. JOHNSON’S DRIVE-IN - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc sits in his car, pulled up to a spot in front. He

looks at his watch. Honks. A CARHOP comes roller-skating
over.
CARHOP
Sorry, should be just a few more
minutes.
From out of nowhere...
SPLAT! A cup of KETCHUP smashes against his windshield.

ANGLE ON a nearby FOOD FIGHT, one of the young
participants wincing at the sight of the collateral
damage on Kroc’s car.
FOOD
FIGHTER
Oops.
ON KROC-- staring at the ketchup glob sliding down

his windshield. He turns on the ignition, pulls out.
CARHOP
Sir, what about your--?
INT. MIDWAY AIRPORT - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc steps to the TWA ticket counter.
RAY KROC
One ticket to Los Angeles.
INT. MCDONALD’S - KITCHEN - EVENING
The dinner rush. Mac and Dick hustle about, making

sure things run as smoothly as possible.
ON MAC-- reloading the Lazy Susan with a new set of bun tops.
33.
RAY KROC (O.S.)

Do it for your country.
Mac turns, startled to see Kroc.

MCDONALD
Ray.
MAC RAY KROC
If you boys don’t want to franchise

for yourselves, fine. But do it for
your country. For America.
Dick comes over, seeing Ray.
DICK MCDONALD
Mr. Kroc. What are you--
RAY KROC
This place you’ve created, it’s not
a restaurant. It’s not even a
place. It’s an idea.
Mac and Dick look at each other, intrigued. Especially Mac.
MAC MCDONALD
(to an employee)
Bobby, finish the buns.
INT. BACK OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc stands before the brothers.
RAY KROC
That drive back home to Chicago on
66, I passed through a lot of
towns. A lot of small towns. In the
middle of every one of them, there
was a Main Street. And on each of
those Main Streets, there were
always the same two things: a
courthouse and a church.
(BEAT)
A courthouse topped with a flag. A
church topped with a cross. Flags
and crosses, crosses and flags.
Mac and Dick glance at each other, not quite sure where
he’s going with this.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

As I drove, I pondered those
crosses and flags.
(MORE)
34.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

I asked myself why they’re so
ubiquitous. What they mean. And in
doing so, I couldn’t help but think
about your restaurant. About these:
He goes to the wall, pulls off the blueprint with the arches.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Now, forgive me if this flirts with
blasphemy, but to my mind, these
arches share a great deal in common
with the Christian cross and the
American flag. A building topped
with a cross is a gathering place.
A place where decent, wholesome
folks can come together and be with
others who share their values. The
same can be said of a building
flanked by a pair of your arches.
Those arches mean more than simply
“delicious hamburgers inside”. They
signify family, community, the ties
that bind. They represent goodness.
Togetherness. A place for Americans
to gather and break bread.
McDonald’s can be that, too. The
new American church, feeding bodies
and feeding souls. And not just on
Sundays, either. Seven days a week.
(BEAT)
Crosses. Flags. Arches.
ON MAC-- wowed. He looks over at Dick, who, to his

surprise, wears a troubled look on his face.
MAC MCDONALD
(to Kroc)
Would you excuse us a moment?
INT. BACK OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
The brothers, alone in the back office.
DICK MCDONALD
I don’t like it.
MAC MCDONALD
What’s wrong?
DICK MCDONALD
(shakes head, troubled)
There’s just something about him.
35.
MAC MCDONALD
He seems like an alright guy.
DICK MCDONALD
He’s a huckster.
MAC MCDONALD
That’s just the way these salesmen
talk.
DICK MCDONALD
He just seems so... desperate.
MAC MCDONALD
That’s not desperation, it’s
passion. Did you hear the way he
talked about McDonald’s? He wants
to make us the biggest thing since
sliced bread.
Dick shakes his head again, full of nagging doubt.
DICK MCDONALD
I don’t know...
MAC MCDONALD
Come on, give the fella a try.
Let’s see what he can do.
He grabs Dick’s shoulders, gives him a reassuring smile.

What’s the worst that could happen?
INT. LAWYER’S OFFICE - DAY
A LAWYER sits behind his big desk. Across from him are
the McDonald brothers and Kroc.
ANGLE ON five stacks of duplicate CONTRACTS arrayed

before the lawyer. He glances at his watch, looks at
Kroc.
LAWYER
Will he be here soon?
LAWYER
Who?
RAY KROC
Your representation.
RAY KROC
I don’t have any.
36.
ON MAC-- surprised. He looks at his brother, who

seems troubled, his worries about Kroc reinforced.
SHORT TIME LATER--
Kroc skims through the contract. Skim is the operative word.
He comes to the last page, where a blank line awaits his

John Hancock. He grabs a pen and eagerly, readily signs.
CUT TO:
INT. ILLINOIS FIRST FEDERAL - DAY (ONE MONTH

LATER) A LOAN OFFICER sits behind his desk.
RAY KROC (O.S.)

We are a dynamic, fast-growing
company.
Across from him sits Kroc in his best suit and tie.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

And now, we’re poised to make major
inroads nationally.
The loan officer looks at a set of BLUEPRINTS on his

desk, titled MCDONALD’S #6 - DES PLAINES, ILL.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

In addition to giving us a foothold
in the Midwest, the Des Plaines
location will serve as a lure for
prospective franchisees.
The loan officer looks over the blueprint.
LOAN OFFICER
(re: arches)
What are those?
RAY KROC
Those? That’s just our little way
of separating ourselves from the
pack.
(proud smile)
“The Golden Arches”, I call ‘em.
The loan officer picks up a bound prospectus prepared

by Kroc. Artist renderings, projected earnings, etc.
Kroc anxiously watches as he leafs through it.

37.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)
(filling the air)
There’s nothing like it in the
entire food-service sector.
The loan officer looks up from the materials. Stares at Kroc.
LOAN OFFICER
You look familiar.
(BEAT)
Have we met?
Kroc tenses up a drop.
RAY KROC
I don’t believe so.
ON LOAN OFFICER, searching Kroc’s face, determined to

place it. He snaps his fingers.
LOAN OFFICER
The Fold-A-Nook!
(hint of a smirk)
“It’s like a Murphy bed... for your
kitchen!”
EXT. ILLINOIS FIRST FEDERAL - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc exits the bank in defeat.
INT. MIDWAY SAVINGS & LOAN - LATER
Kroc sits across from another LOAN OFFICER, watching as

he looks over the prospectus.
RAY KROC
There’s nothing like it in the
entire food-service sector.
The officer looks up at Kroc.
LOAN OFFICER #2

Have we met?
The man searches his face. Kroc squirms.
LOAN OFFICER #2 (CONT’D)

The paper-cup guy!
RAY KROC
(forces a smile)
Long time ago.
38.
An awkward pause, painful for Kroc.
LOAN OFFICER #2

I tell you what. Let me refer you
to one of my colleagues. Somebody
who may be better suited to meet
your needs.
A FEW DESKS DOWN - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc sits before a different LOAN OFFICER. The man is

filling out some sort of application for Kroc.
#3 RAY KROC
Address?
LOAN OFFICER
143 Juniper Road, Arlington

Heights, Illinois.
ANGLE ON his desk plaque: HARVEY C. PELTZ - HOME

MORTGAGE REPRESENTATIVE
LOAN OFFICER #3

Home telephone number?
Kroc’s eyes drift to the form, a home-mortgage application.
RAY KROC
Let me give you my office. That’s
the best place to reach me.
INT. KROC’S OFFICE - ANOTHER NIGHT
The office is empty, except for Kroc. He’s at his

desk, engrossed in work. The phone RINGS, startling
him a bit.
RAY KROC
Hello?
(listening)
Ethel.
Kroc glances out the window, sees it’s dark out.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Listen, I don’t think I’m going to
be home in time for dinner.
INT. KROC’S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Ethel on the other end of the line.

ETHEL KROC
39.
Dinner?
WIDER SHOT reveals she’s IN BED, in a nightgown.
ETHEL KROC (CONT’D)

It’s almost midnight.
INT. KROC’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Kroc looks at his watch, cringing. It’s 11:45.
ETHEL KROC (O.S.)

(irritated)
I’m going to bed.
RAY KROC
Oh. Okay. I’ll be careful not to--
Click.
INT. KROC’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - MIDDLE OF NIGHT
Ethel is asleep, alone in the too-big bed.
Kroc is asleep on his too-small office couch. Paperwork

is scattered across his chest and on the floor.
NEXT MORNING--
Kroc still on the couch, out cold. A light knock on the door.
JUNE MARTINO
(O.S.)
Mr. Kroc?
June opens the door a crack. The sound stirs him.

I’m very sorry, sir, I didn’t--
RAY KROC
That’s alright, June. What is it?
JUNE MARTINO
This just arrived.
She hands him a PACKAGE. He looks at it, unsure what it

is. The return address is from SAN BERNARDINO.
40.
MOMENTS LATER--
Kroc opens the package. Inside is a THICK BINDER. He flips

through it. Hundreds of pages of dense, detailed
instructions regarding all things McDonald’s.
He slows at a section titled CONSTRUCTION. It’s packed

with BUILDING SPECS, including a folded BLUEPRINT. Kroc
unfolds it. A troubled look comes over his face.
INT. MCDONALD’S (SAN BERNARDINO) - OFFICE - SHORT TIME LATER
Mac picks up the phone, Dick a few feet away. (Intercut

as necessary.)
MAC MCDONALD
(”chipper”)
Hiya, Ray. How’s tricks?
RAY KROC
What’s this about?
MAC MCDONALD
What’s what about?
RAY KROC
The binder.
MAC MCDONALD
Oh, that? That’s just a little
operating manual we worked up.
Thought it might be helpful to you.
Mac glances at Dick, who’s listening in with concern.

There a problem?
RAY KROC
Quite a few, actually.
MAC MCDONALD
Oh? Such as?
RAY KROC
Well, for starters, the blueprint.
(reading)
Must build to exact specifications.
No variations permitted.
41.
MAC MCDONALD
Nothing personal, Ray. It’s just,
what with everything we’ve been
through with the other franchises.
RAY KROC
You can’t actually expect me to use
this.
MCDONALD
Why not?
MAC RAY KROC
There’s no basement. No furnace.

MCDONALD
So?
MAC RAY KROC
Have you been to Chicago in the

wintertime?
MAC MCDONALD
Look, if you’d like to propose an
amendment to the design, just
submit a request in writing, and
we’ll be happy to--
RAY KROC
In writing?
MAC MCDONALD
Please. Yes.
RAY KROC
What’s wrong with the telephone?
MAC MCDONALD
That’s just how we’d prefer to
do it.
RAY KROC
That’ll set me back weeks. Months.
MAC MCDONALD
As I said, it’s nothing personal.
RAY KROC
I’m sorry, I don’t understand why
I can’t just--
MAC MCDONALD
That’s how we’d like to do it.
42.
Mac glances at Dick, who nods in support/approval. We get

the impression this was at his insistence.
RAY KROC
That’s silly.
MAC MCDONALD
Maybe so, but those are the terms
you agreed to. Any changes must be
officially approved by Dick and
myself in writing.
ON KROC-- bewildered.
RAY KROC
When the hell did I agree to that?
SHORT TIME LATER--
Kroc sits at his desk, combing through a copy of the

contract he signed in California. Sure enough:
ANY AND ALL CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE SPEEDEE SYSTEM
OR ANY MCDONALD’S FRANCHISE, EITHER PHYSICAL OR CONCEPTUAL,
MUST BE FORMALLY SUBMITTED IN WRITING FOR APPROVAL BY BOTH
RICHARD MCDONALD AND MAURICE MCDONALD.
RAY KROC (PRE-LAP)

I’ve been hoodwinked!
INT. KROC’S OFFICE - SHORT TIME LATER
June Martino stands in the middle of Kroc’s office.
RAY KROC
Talk about a sneaky, underhanded
move.
ON KROC-- pacing the floor.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

They buried the lead. Slipped it
into the fine print.
June just nods helplessly, sympathetically.
INT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - ANOTHER DAY
A hard-hatted Kroc stands in a dirt lot, watching workers

lay a building foundation. A nearby sign proclaims COMING
SOON - MCDONALD’S FAMOUS HAMBURGERS!
43.
June comes over with a letter, hands it to Kroc. His eyes

go to the San Bernardino return address, hands it back to
her.
RAY KROC
Read it.
She opens the letter, reluctantly begins to read:
JUNE MARTINO
Dear Ray, Thank you for your letter
sharing your idea to strike a deal
with Coca-Cola to sponsor menu
boards at the new Des Plaines
location. An intriguing notion,
indeed! As you rightly point out,
such an arrangement would provide a
steady source of revenue to the
store at no additional labor cost.
ON KROC-- nodding, surprised and heartened.
JUNE MARTINO
(CONT’D)
However...
A frustrated-as-hell Kroc is on the phone.
RAY KROC
Small. At the bottom.
INT. MCDONALD’S - SAN BERNARDINO - CONTINUOUS
On the other end is Mac, his brother sitting

nearby. (Intercut as necessary.)
RAY KROC (O.S.)

Very discrete.
MAC MCDONALD
I’m sorry, Ray. But we’re just not
comfortable with the notion of
turning our menu into an
advertisement.
RAY KROC
Coca-Cola’s already on the menu.
What’s the difference if there’s
another little--
MAC MCDONALD
I’m sorry, Ray.
44.
ON KROC-- shut down.
RAY KROC
You couldn’t have told me that five
goddamn weeks ago?
He slams down the phone.
MOMENTS LATER--
Mac and Dick, post-call. Dick shakes his head darkly.
DICK MCDONALD
The guy’s trouble. He’s a loose
cannon.
MAC MCDONALD
He’s just a little... excitable.
DICK MCDONALD
We never should have let him in.
MAC MCDONALD
Will you relax? Everything’s fine.
We get the sense he’s telling himself this as much as Dick.

He’s powerless. The contract
protects us fully.
DICK MCDONALD
A hothead like that, you don’t know
what he’s capable of.
MAC MCDONALD
It’s all bluster. His bark is worse
than his bite.
DICK MCDONALD
(sour chuckle)
That’s what Neville Chamberlain
said.
INT. MCDONALDS (DES PLAINES) - KITCHEN - DAY
The brand-new Des Plaines McDonald’s, up and running.
TRACKING SHOT, high-energy, as Kroc marches through the

restaurant barking out orders to his charges. It’s a
bit militaristic in vibe, echoing Dick’s Hitler
reference:
45.
“Watch those fries!”... “Straighten that hat!”... “Buns

to the left! Pickles to the right!”... “Let’s go, boys!”
He passes an EMPLOYEE, catching him in a moment of repose--
RAY KROC
Grab a mop! If there’s time to
lean, there’s time to clean!
Tracking shot ends at the GRILL, manned by a trio of

GRILLERS overseeing dozens of patties. Kroc moves down the
line.
ON GRILLER #1, flipping a patty--
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Wrist! More wrist!
Kroc grabs the spatula, demonstrates proper technique.

He moves onto GRILLER #2, moving a patty off the
grill--
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Too fast--it’s still pink!
He moves the patty back onto the grill. He moves on

to GRILLER #3--
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

What the heck are you...
Kroc trails off, realizing Griller #3 is doing NOTHING

WRONG. His patties are perfect, arranged in rows so precise
they could have been lined up with a ruler.
RAY KROC
(CONT’D)
Good.
ON KROC-- taking in the eager young buck, who looks maybe 22.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

What’s your name?
GRILLER #3
Fred Turner, sir.
RAY KROC
Fred Turner...
(small, approving nod)
Keep it up.
FRED TURNER
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
Kroc walks off. Turner is thrilled by the approval.

46.
EXT. MCDONALD’S - NIGHT (AFTER HOURS)
Under the glow of the arches, Kroc scours the parking lot,
fanatically cleaning. Picking up discarded cups, scraping
gum off the underside of benches.
INT. KROC’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - MIDNIGHT
Ethel is asleep in bed. Kroc enters, home from a

long, exhausting day of work. He starts getting
undressed.
As he unbuttons his shirt, he hears a sound... a SNIFFLE. He

looks at Ethel, sees she’s actually awake. His eyes go to
her pillow. It’s stained with tears.
He goes over, sits down on the bed next to her. He looks

at her, feeling genuinely bad.
sorry.
RAY KROC
I’m
He takes in her hurt face. Her cheeks damp with tears.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

I know I’ve neglected you.
He looks her in the eye, contrite.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

I’m going to give you more time. I
promise.
(BEAT)
Tomorrow night. Let’s have supper
at the club.
She looks up at him, surprised, heartened.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

It’s been way too long.
He sweetly hands her a tissue. She blows her nose.
INT. ROLLING GREEN COUNTRY CLUB - DINING ROOM - NEXT NIGHT
The dining room of a not especially upscale country club.

Kroc, in a red Rolling Green C.C. sport coat, leads Ethel
to a big round table. At it are fellow CLUB MEMBERS, who
warmly greet the Krocs. One of the men gives Ray a hearty
hug.
CLUB MEMBER
By George! I think I’ve seen a
ghost!
47.
SHORT TIME LATER--
The middle of the meal. Ray kibitzes with the men,

Ethel engaged in a cross-conversation with the wives.
ON ETHEL AND THE WOMEN--
CLUB WIFE #1

I hear Acapulco is divine.
CLUB WIFE #2

Mildred Ballard was just there. She
adored it.
Ethel nods along, not wanting to stick out.
CLUB WIFE #2 (CONT’D)

Where do you like, Ethel?
ETHEL KROC
Me?
(BEAT, scrambling)
Spain.
CLUB WIFE #3

Wonderful, how was it?
ETHEL KROC
(backtracks)
I mean... we’re thinking about it,
planning to. In the fall.
Nods and smiles from the other women. The conversation

moves on, bullet dodged.
ON KROC AND THE MEN--
JERRY CULLEN
That’s the last time I try a sand
wedge in that b
unker!
Hearty laughs from the others, loving the golf humor.
JACK HORFORD
How’s your game, Ray?
RAY KROC
Lately? Non-existent.
The men laugh, missing the literalness of the statement.
JACK HORFORD
I’m no Ben Hogan myself.
48.
ON KROC-- seeing an opening in the conversation.
RAY KROC
But I did recently hit a hole-in
one of a
different sort.
He smiles cryptically. The men look at each other, intrigued.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Anybody interested in hearing about
an exciting investment opportunity?
Kroc sneaks a glance at Ethel, who’s immersed in the

ladies’ conversation, oblivious to Ray’s machinations.
SERIES OF SHOTS:
--Jerry Cullen signing FRANCHISE PAPERS as Kroc looks on.
--Kroc and Jack Horford, in hardhats, presiding as ground

is broken at a CONSTRUCTION SITE. Behind them is a sign
featuring McDonald’s mascot Speedee, who says in a word
bubble: “HOWDY, SCHAUMBURG! McDONALD’S IS ON THE WAY!”
--Kroc and Ethel having dinner again at Rolling Green,

Kroc working the menfolk, trolling for franchisees.
--Kroc playing a round of golf at the club, giving his

golf mates the McDonald’s sales spiel.
--Kroc looking on as one of the golf guys signs a contract.
EXT. MCDONALD’S (SCHAUMBURG) - DAY
Kroc pulls into the parking lot of the brand-new

Schaumburg store. There’s a line out front, not
spectacular but solid.
He parks, heads toward the restaurant with a spring in

his step. He abruptly slows, noticing something:
ANGLE ON a CUSTOMER in his car, biting into a hamburger.

Sticking out the sides of the burger is a piece of
LETTUCE.
ON KROC-- stunned, appalled.
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc enters the kitchen.

RAY KROC
Jack?
49.
He looks around, doesn’t see Horford. Kroc goes over to the

dressing station, where, in addition to the standard
fixings, there’s a tray of lettuce.
EXT. ROLLING GREEN C.C. - GOLF COURSE - SHORT TIME

LATER Jack Horford, part of a foursome, is about to
tee off.
GOLF BUDDY
Give it a whack, Jack.
Horford rears back to swing when, out the corner of his

eye, he sees Kroc, STORMING ONTO THE COURSE, marching
toward him.
Horford sees he’s holding something. A hamburger. Kroc

gets right up in his face waving the burger.
RAY KROC
What is this?
Horford stares at the burger, bewildered.
JACK HORFORD
It appears to be a hamburger.
RAY KROC
It’s not a McDonald’s hamburger.
He lifts off the bun, pointing out the many deficiencies--
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Too much ketchup. Three pickles not
two. Lettuce. Lettuce?
JACK HORFORD
Do you think maybe we could discuss
this later? We’re in the middle of--
RAY KROC
And the patty.
(tears open the meat)
Tragically overcooked.
JERRY CULLEN (O.S.)

I don’t know, Ray...
Fellow franchise owner Jerry Cullen (part of the

foursome) leans in, checking out the burger.
JERRY CULLEN (CONT’D)

Looks good to me.
He impulsively grabs it, takes a big bite.

50.
JERRY CULLEN (CONT’D)

Delicious.
Kroc stares at Cullen with deep suspicion. Et tu, Jerry?
EXT. MCDONALD’S (JERRY CULLEN’S) - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc marches through the parking lot toward Cullen’s

McDonald’s. On the way, he’s met with the disturbing sight
of a WOMAN in her car--eating a HOT DOG.
Kroc looks at the menu, stunned to see HOT DOG listed.

Scanning, he spots FRIED CHICKEN and CORN ON THE COB,
too.
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc looks around the kitchen, scanning for offenses.

He quickly spots plenty--
An overflowing trash can. An open freezer door. And, for the

capper, a USED TISSUE on the Lazy Susan. He watches in
horror as the BUN DRESSER grabs it, wiping his red, drippy
nose.
Kroc looks to the wall. Hanging there is a framed headshot

of a smiling Jerry Cullen. A plaque at the bottom says
JERRY CULLEN - OWNER/OPERATOR.
INT. ROLLING GREEN - CLUBHOUSE - SHORT TIME LATER
The golf foursome are enjoying some post-golf cocktails

at the clubhouse, called “The 19th Hole”.
JERRY CULLEN
If you’re a six handicap, I’m
Lawrence of Arabia!
Roaring laughs. They’re all a bit drunk, having a great

time. Jack Horford looks up toward the door. His face
falls--
JACK HORFORD
Oh, boy. Here we go.
ANGLE ON Kroc storming into the clubhouse, loaded for

bear. He makes a beeline for Cullen.
RAY KROC
What the hell kind of two-bit
operation you running, Cullen?
JERRY CULLEN
Hello, Ray.
51.
RAY KROC
Fried chicken?
JERRY CULLEN
People love fried chicken.
RAY KROC
And the filth. It looked like some
sort of Manchurian slum.
JERRY CULLEN
With great chicken.
Everybody laughs. Kroc is not amused.
RAY KROC
(to Jack, Jerry)
Are you aware what goes on at your
restaurants? Do you even care?
Cullen and Horford look at each other, then back at Ray.

JERRY CULLEN
Look, Ray... I don’t know about
you, but I’m retired.
JACK HORFORD
You said this would be a good place
to park our money. It’s an
investment, nothing more.
JERRY CULLEN
(nods in agreement)
If I wanted a job, I’d have applied
for a cook position.
ON KROC-- silently stewing.
INT. KROC’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - EVENING
Ethel is getting dressed, putting on jewelry and makeup.

Ray enters, home from work.
ETHEL KROC
Hurry up and get changed. Dinner’s
called for seven.
RAY KROC
We’re not going to the club
tonight.
ETHEL KROC
You cancelled our dinner plans?
52.
RAY KROC
I cancelled our membership.
KROC RAY
What?
ETHEL KROC
Those Rolling Green people

aren’t our kind.
ETHEL KROC
What are you talking about?
RAY KROC
I’ve lost interest in
hobnobbing with the idle rich.
KROC RAY
Idle
rich? KROC
ETHEL
With their golf and their Rob Roys.
ETHEL KROC
Please tell me this is some kind of
joke.
RAY KROC
Contented. Complacent.
ETHEL KROC
Those are my friends, Ray! My
entire social life!
RAY KROC
We’ll find new friends.
Ethel throws herself onto the bed, bursting into tears.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

(determined gaze)
Far more suitable.
INT. PRINCE CASTLE SALES - KROC’S OFFICE - DAY

Kroc is at work at his desk. The intercom
buzzes.
JUNE MARTINO (O.S.)

Mac McDonald for you.
Kroc lets out a small, pained groan. He picks up.

RAY KROC
(fake-friendly)
53.
Mac!
INT. SAN BERNARDINO MCDONALD’S - OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

MAC MCDONALD
(equally fake-friendly)
Hiya, Ray!
(Intercut as necessary.)

Just thought I’d check in, see how
it’s going with the new franchises.
RAY KROC
Oh, fine. Swell.
MAC MCDONALD
Wonderful. Delighted to hear it.
So your operators are panning out?
RAY KROC
Swimmingly. We’re off to a flying
start here in Chicagoland.
A blast of hellacious DIARRHEA. We hard-cut on the sound to--
INT. MEN’S ROOM - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc on the office toilet taking an angry, nervous dump.
INT. FRONT DESK - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc walks toward the front desk with the men’s room key.
SALESMAN (O.S.)
Just take a gander at this handsome
gold inlay.
Kroc comes to the desk, where a BIBLE SALESMAN (23)

is talking to June, briefcase full of samples popped
open.
SALESMAN (CONT’D)
You’re telling me such marvelous
craftsmanship isn’t worth $8.95?
JUNE MARTINO
Thank you. I’m not interested.
54.
SALESMAN
Not interested in a Bible sure to
be the pride of your home library?
ON KROC-- observing the young salesman with interest.
SALESMAN (CONT’D)
As I’m sure you know, June, envy is
one of the seven cardinal sins. And
that’s just what your friends and
neighbors will be guilty of when
they see this leather-bound beauty
on your bookshelf.
JUNE MARTINO
Sir, this is a private place of
business. I’m afraid I’m going to
have to ask you to--
RAY KROC
What’s your name, son?
The salesman turns to Kroc.
SALESMAN
Leonard. Leonard Rosenblatt.
RAY KROC
Rosenblatt?
Ray stares at him, curiosity piqued.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

What’s a Jew doing selling Catholic
Bibles?
LEONARD ROSENBLATT
(blunt, unapologetic)
Making a living.
ON KROC-- taking in the hungry young go-getter. It’s not

hard to read his mind: This is just the type of fellow I

need.
INT. KROC’S OFFICE - DAY
Rosenblatt and his wife MYRA (22) sit across from Kroc.
Kroc slides a pen and contract across the desk to them.
Leonard looks at the contract. At his wife.
ON LEONARD AND MYRA ROSENBLATT-- looking at each

other, excited, hopeful, nervous.
55.
A young couple, staking everything on a shared dream.

Myra gives her husband’s hand a loving, supportive
squeeze.
MYRA ROSENBLATT
I believe in you.
LEONARD
ROSENBLATT
Us.
ON KROC-- watching the interaction with admiration--and

more than a touch of jealousy.
EXT. MCDONALD’S (THE ROSENBLATTS’) - DAY (A FEW MONTHS LATER)
The Rosenblatts’ new McDonald’s in Waukegan, IL. Festive

bunting lines the front, a banner proclaiming GRAND
OPENING TODAY! A line of the curious and hungry forms
outside.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
The hustle and bustle of a smooth-running kitchen. It’s

a model of cleanliness and professionalism, everything
the country clubbers’ franchises were not.
ON KROC-- standing in the middle, observing various

workers, pleased and impressed by everything he sees.
LEONARD ROSENBLATT (O.S.)

Let’s go, chop-chop!
KROC’S POV: Rosenblatt moving about the kitchen, barking out

orders, making sure everything’s just so. The mirror image
of Kroc at his Des Plaines store.
MYRA ROSENBLATT (O.S.)

Here you go, sport...
Kroc looks toward the front of the store, where he sees--
MYRA, handing out lollipops to children. She’s wearing a

red apron that says McDonald’s and a big smile on her
face.
Kroc goes over. She hands him a lollipop.

MYRA ROSENBLATT (CONT’D)
It’s normally 10 and under, but
I’ll make an exception.
Kroc looks at the lollipop. Tied to it is a red ribbon

with the store’s address on it. He couldn’t be more
impressed.
56.
INT. KROC’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - THAT NIGHT
Kroc is getting undressed for bed, buzzing.
RAY KROC
You should’ve seen this place.
ON ETHEL-- in bed, her eyelids growing heavy.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

owners. You’ve never seen
And those
a pair of dynamos like these two.
He’s in back, running the kitchen,
she’s up front, passing out suckers

to the kiddies. Like a team.
(no reply)
It’s wonderful.
Kroc looks at Ethel, irked to see her drifting off.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Don’t you think?
ETHEL KROC
Think what?
RAY KROC
That it’s wonderful.
(touch loaded)
Two people, side by side, working
together.
ETHEL KROC
It’s wonderful.
RAY KROC
You say that with such sincerity.
ETHEL KROC
It mean it. It’s wonderful.
(singing, sarcastic)
S’wonderful... s’marvelous...
A stretch of edgy silence as he pulls off his socks.
RAY KROC
I made us supper plans for Friday
night.
ETHEL KROC
I don’t suppose you rejoined the
club.
57.
RAY KROC
Someplace much better.
ETHEL KROC
Oh, goody. I’ll polish my diamonds.
INT. VFW HALL - EVENING
ANGLE ON a big banner across a wood-paneled wall: VFW

POST 482 - FRIDAY NIGHT POTLUCK DINNER & BINGO
PAN DOWN to a long table lined with couples. Blue-collar

types, several rungs down the social ladder from Rolling
Green. And younger--the average age is closer to 30 than
60.
In the midst of them, we find Ray and Ethel. They’re
dressed deliberately “blue collar”, matching the people
around them. Ethel’s neck and hands are conspicuously
jewelry-free.
As Ethel picks listlessly at her meatloaf, Kroc chats up

the COUPLE (mid-20s) next to them.
RAY KROC
So Art, what do you do for a
living?
ART WOLODARSKY
Well, I had a little plumbing
business going for a while after
getting out of the service. Now I
sell vacuum cleaners. And I give
piano lessons on the side.
RAY KROC
Golly. Plumbing, pianos, you’re a
regular jack of all trades.
ART WOLODARSKY
Whatever puts food on the table.
Art’s WIFE smiles proudly at her hard-working man. ON

KROC-- sizing them up. They totally fit the profile.
RAY KROC
How would you like to do more than
merely put food on the table?
58.
Art Wolodarsky signing up for a franchise, wife by his

side.
CUT TO:
RECRUITMENT MONTAGE:
Kroc hunting for new recruits for the McDonald’s Army.
RAY KROC
I’m looking for a few good men!
A fired-up Kroc speaking at an AMERICAN LEGION HALL:
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Men willing to roll up their
sleeves!
At a SYNAGOGUE:
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Men with fire in their bellies!
At an AMWAY MEETING:
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Hustlers! Scrappers! Grinders!
More SNIPPETS of speeches to potential franchise

owners. Mechanics and schoolteachers, immigrants and
outsiders.
“With hard work and sacrifice...”
“With gumption and elbow grease...”

“This is your opportunity to climb the ladder of
success!” “...the brass ring!”
“...the American Dream!”
Over and over, he invokes the same word:

FAMILY. “When you join the McDonald’s
family...”
“McDonald’s is a family business. By families, for

families.” “Our core family values...”
Shots of KROC GAINING TRACTION, getting on a

roll: --YOUNG COUPLES cashing out bank accounts
59.
--Kroc cutting the ribbon at store openings. Lines down

the block, cash registers ringing.
--Kroc biting into a burger served by the owner/operator of

a new franchise. Art Wolodarsky.
--Kroc driving back to his own store in Des Plaines,

sweeping the parking lot after dark. Relentless,
inexhaustible.
END OF MONTAGE
Kroc stands before a U.S. MAP tacked to the wall. Half a

dozen pins are clustered around the Illinois-Wisconsin
area.
ON KROC-- surveying the map with the bearing of a

general, hands clasped behind his back.
JUNE MARTINO
(O.S.)
Sir?
June is standing by the door.

We have a little problem.
Kroc at his desk with June. Spread out before them is
the company’s financial ledger.
RAY KROC
How could we be out of working
capital?
JUNE
MARTINO
Well...
She runs a finger down a column of figures in the ledger.

There’s your monthly gross revenue.
Kroc takes in the figures with dismay.

RAY KROC
That’s it?
JUNE
MARTINO
(nods)
1.4.
60.
RAY KROC
(not following)
1.4...?
JUNE MARTINO
Percent. Of franchisee profits.
MOMENTS LATER--
June is flipping through Kroc’s contract with the

brothers. She finds the page she’s looking for, plants a
finger on a section in the middle. Amidst a sea of
legalese--
...SHALL RECEIVE ONE AND FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT (1.4%) OF

NET PROFITS GENERATED BY...
June looks at Kroc staring at it, surprised by his

apparent surprise.
JUNE MARTINO
(treading lightly)
You never...?
RAY KROC
Of course I’ve read it!
EXT. MCDONALD’S (SAN BERNARDINO) - SHORT TIME LATER
Mac is accepting a large shipment of cups and plastic

ware. He signs, hands the clipboard back to the DELIVERY
MAN.
EMPLOYEE (O.S.)
Mr. McDonald?
Mac turns, sees a YOUNG EMPLOYEE.
EMPLOYEE (CONT’D)
There’s a call for you.
MCDONALD
Who?
MAC EMPLOYEE
A Mr. Koch, Krotch?

(BEAT)
He says it’s urgent.
INT. BACK OFFICE - SHORT TIME LATER
The brothers are at their respective desks. They each pick

up a phone, bracing for it.
MAC MCDONALD
61.
Hiya, Ray!
Kroc pacing, contract in hand. (Intercut as necessary.)
RAY KROC
I want to renegotiate.
MAC MCDONALD
Renegotiate what?
RAY KROC
My deal. My lousy deal.
MAC MCDONALD
I’m sorry, I don’t quite...
RAY KROC
1.4?
The brothers look at each other with alarm.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

What the hell kind of cut is that?
MCDONALD
Ray...
MAC RAY KROC
That’s scarcely enough to cover

my basic monthly overhead, much
less drive expansion.
MAC MCDONALD
I don’t understand.
RAY KROC
You boys have got me working
with both hands tied behind my
back.
MAC MCDONALD
Are you just now looking at your
contract for the first--
RAY KROC
You’ve set me up to fail.
MAC MCDONALD
That’s the cut you agreed to.
Freely and willingly.
62.
RAY KROC
as to do
What I agreed to w
everything in my power to make
McDonald’s a smashing national
success. And I assumed, perhaps
naïvely, that you’d be an ally in
that effort and not an impediment.
MAC MCDONALD
Nobody’s being an impediment.
RAY KROC
Then renegotiate my deal.
Mac glances at Dick.
MAC MCDONALD
We can’t do that.
RAY KROC
Five percent.
MCDONALD
I’m sorry.
MAC RAY KROC
Four and a half.
MAC MCDONALD
I’m sorry, Ray.
t!
RAY KROC
Goddammi
(flings contract)
You took advantage of me!
MAC MCDONALD
That’s not true.
RAY KROC
It is. You exploited my
trusting nature.
MAC MCDONALD
In case you forgot, Ray, you
pushed for a deal. Not us. You’re
the one who wanted it. Badly.
RAY KROC
Because I just wanted to help
you. I wanted to help make
McDonald’s everything it could
possibly be. (MORE)
63.
RAY KROC (CONT'D)

And that’s just what I’ve been
doing, every day, busting my hump
trying to help you reach your dream
of making McDonald’s the biggest
and the best.
A BEAT of silence from Mac, possibly telling.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

our dream, right?
That is y
MAC MCDONALD
(measured)
We want it to be the best.
RAY KROC
I said the biggest and the best.
MAC MCDONALD
(sighs)
Look.
What? MAC
RAY KROC MCDONALD
We’ve got a great thing going here
in San Bernardino. We have a
thriving business that produces
a quality product. That people
love.
RAY KROC
What are you trying to say?
MAC MCDONALD
I’m trying to say...
(BEAT)
We’re happy. We’re content.
The words burn Kroc’s ears like acid.
Content. MAC
Content. MCDONALD
RAY KROC RAY KROC
With one location.

MAC MCDONALD
Or three. Or seven.
RAY KROC
64.
Or 900?
Mac chortles/gasps at the figure.

(CONT’D) MAC
2,000? Ray.
MCDONALD
RAY KROC
RAY KROC
2,000. Sounds good. Nice round
number.
MAC MCDONALD
I think we’re getting a little
ahead of ourselves.
RAY KROC
Do you want to be big?
MAC MCDONALD
I mean, sure, but...
But what? MAC
RAY KROC MCDONALD
That’s never been the primary goal.
RAY KROC
What happened to coast to coast,
sea to shining sea?
MAC MCDONALD
Those were your words.
RAY KROC
Words you loved.
MAC MCDONALD
Words I liked. They sounded real
good at the time.
RAY KROC
But now?
(angry)
How do they sound now, Mac?
ON MAC-- looking helplessly at his brother.

65.
SHORT TIME LATER--
Mac and Dick sit at their desks in gloomy post-call silence.
DICK MCDONALD
So Neville, how’d it go in Munich?
No reply from Mac. Dick waves an imaginary

Anglo-German Agreement Of 1938.

(British accent)
“Peace in our time!”
Mac rolls his eyes, unamused.

DICK
Relax.
MAC MCDONALD
MCDONALD
When are you going to face reality?

DICK
Which is?
MAC MCDONALD
MCDONALD
There’s a wolf in the henhouse!
MAC MCDONALD
Is he a pain in the rear? Yes. Has
he got a few screws loose? Maybe.
But that doesn’t mean he’s going to
do us any actual harm.
DICK MCDONALD
If you say so.
MAC MCDONALD
I don’t, the contract does.
We notice a light sheen of sweat forming on Mac’s forehead.

He’s powerless. Any and all changes
have to be...
Mac unexpectedly trails off, losing his train of thought.

Any and all...
ON DICK-- seeing something is off with his brother.

DICK MCDONALD
66.
Mac?
Mac loosens his tie a little. His face grows flushed.

You alright?
Mac looks woozy, lightheaded.
MAC MCDONALD
It’s not fair.
MAC
Mac...
DICK MCDONALD
MCDONALD
When are you gonna let me walk the

dog, Dickie?
DICK MCDONALD
I think you’re having one of your--
THUNK. Mac flops over, CRASHING TO THE FLOOR.
Dick rushes to Mac’s desk, opens the bottom drawer. He

takes out a small red box that says GLUCAGON EMERGENCY
KIT.
SAN BERNARDINO - KITCHEN - SHORT TIME LATER
Mac is sitting on the floor, nursing a McDonald’s milkshake.
DICK MCDONALD
A few more sips.
Dick takes a sip of the shake. His sleeves are rolled up,
exposing a MEDIC ALERT BRACELET. Engraved on it is
DIABETES TYPE 2.
MAC
MCDONALD
I’m okay.
ON DICK-- looking at his brother with love and

worry. ON MAC-- gazing off darkly at something.

Everything’s okay.
MAC’S POV: He’s looking at the Multimixer on the counter.

67.
INT. MCDONALD’S (DES PLAINES) - KITCHEN - SHORT TIME

LATER Kroc is restlessly pacing in the kitchen.
RAY KROC
Content.
The angry crackle of sizzling meat fills the air. It

sounds like his brain.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

They’re content!
REVEAL who he’s speaking to: Young griller Fred

Turner, listening as he flips patties.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Do you know what contentment is,
Fred?
FRED
No, sir.
TURNER RAY KROC
Contentment is merely laziness in

disguise.
Turner ponders this earnestly, an impressionable young man.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

And do you know what laziness is?
FRED TURNER
I don’t, sir.
RAY KROC
It’s fear. Of success. Of
sacrifice. Of doing the necessary
hard work.
Turner nods thoughtfully.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

McDonald’s could be the biggest
thing going. But those two yokels
out there in the desert can’t see
past their own front porch. They’re
a couple of field mice, afraid of
their own shadows.
(shakes head)
I can’t stand small-mindedness.
His gaze drifts downward to his WEDDING RING for a moment.

68.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Ambition. That’s the stuff of life!
ON TURNER-- inspired, really connecting with this.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Those boys have no clue what
they’ve got on their hands. They
struck gold and decided to open a
copper mine.
Turner nods sympathetically. Shakes his head.
FRED TURNER
They don’t deserve this company.
ON KROC-- struck by Turner’s offhand comment. A seed

is planted.
INT. KROC’S OFFICE - EVENING
Kroc sits at his desk. Staring up at him is a mountain of

BILLS AND INVOICES. Among them are numerous PAST-DUE
NOTICES.
Kroc stares at them, overwhelmed. He picks one up,

somewhat at random. A bill from Chicago Gas & Electric.
He opens it.
ON KROC-- taking in the amount, appalled.
RAY KROC (PRE-LAP)

Ninety-four dollars?
INT. WALK-IN COOLER - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc is in the Des Plaines store’s huge WALK-IN COOLER.
FRED TURNER
You wouldn’t believe what it costs
to power one of these suckers.
Kroc looks at the electric bill in his hand, shakes his head.
FRED TURNER (CONT’D)

My pop used to own an ice-cream
parlor. He went belly-up from the
refrigeration costs.
Kroc’s eye drifts to one side of the cooler. The entire

thing is filled with drums of ice cream for the milkshakes.
ON KROC-- staring contemplatively at the drums.

CASHIER (O.S.)
69.
Mr. Kroc?
Standing in the cooler doorway is a young CASHIER.
CASHIER (CONT’D)
We’re all out of singles.
BACK OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc is bent over the office safe. He enters the

combination, opens it. He takes out a pack of singles, $50
in ones.
REGISTER - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc brings the singles to the register, sticks them in

the drawer. The cashier grabs three, hands them to a
customer.
CASHIER
Here’s your change, sir. I’m very
sorry about the wait.
ANGLE ON the customer, a white-haired gentleman (50s) in

an expensive suit. He has a polished, cosmopolitan air
about him. As we will later learn, this is HARRY
SONNEBORN.
HARRY SONNEBORN
No worries at all. For a burger
like this, I’ve got all day.
RAY KROC
(smiles)
We aim to please.
Sonneborn looks Kroc over, sizing him up as the owner.
HARRY SONNEBORN
This your place?
RAY KROC
It is.
ON SONNEBORN-- looking around, taking in the thriving

operation. He seems like he’s thinking. He gives Kroc
a small, slightly enigmatic nod of approval and WALKS
OFF.
ON KROC-- watching him go, mildly amused/intrigued.

70.
INT. PRINCE CASTLE SALES - SHORT TIME LATER
Kroc returns to his office. He drops the electric bill on

top of the bill stack on his desk. As he does, June enters
the room with a fresh batch of mail. She hands it to him.
ON KROC-- sifting through the new mail. More bills,

including one from MIDWAY SAVINGS & LOAN stamped “PAST
DUE”.
He stares at the letter. A look of physical discomfort

comes over him.
INT. OFFICE - MEN’S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Kroc on the toilet, shitting his anxious guts out.
He grabs a magazine off the rack. An industry trade

publication, RESTAURANT BUSINESS MONTHLY. He idly
flips through it. As he does, something catches his
eye.
ANGLE ON a full-page ad. For something called INSTAMIX.

A powdered milkshake mix. The ad copy trumpets--
ATTENTION OWNER-OPERATORS: INTRODUCING INSTAMIX, THE

MIRACULOUS INSTANT ICE-CREAM SUBSTITUTE THAT WILL SAVE
YOU “SCOOPFULS” OF TIME AND MONEY!
GREATER VOLUME! HIGHER PROFITS! MAKES REFRIGERATION A

THING OF THE PAST!
ON KROC-- staring at the ad, wheels turning.
INT. KROC’S OFFICE - ANOTHER DAY
Kroc at his desk on the phone.
RAY KROC
I want to run something by you.
INT. SAN BERNARDINO - OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Mac is on the other end, Dick listening in on the

second line. (Intercut as necessary.)
RAY KROC
(his old salesman’s flair)
What if I told you there was a way
to save you, me, and all our owner
operators
literally hundreds of
dollars a year in electrical costs?
MAC MCDONALD RAY KROC
71.
Well...
And free up valuable storage

space. And reduce the amount of
time it
takes to make a milkshake by half.
MAC MCDONALD
I’ll bite. What is it?
RAY KROC
Ready? It’s called...
(”drum roll”)

Instamix.
Mac looks over at Dick.

MAC
MCDONALD
Instamix.
Kroc grabs a SILVER-FOIL PACKET off his desk.
RAY KROC
It’s a powdered milkshake. Costs
a fraction of ice cream, no
refrigeration necessary.
MCDONALD
Powdered?
MAC RAY KROC
Thickening agents and

emulsifiers simulate the
texture of milkfat. Tastes just
like the real thing.
MCDONALD
Ray...
MAC RAY KROC
Comes in vanilla and chocolate.

MCDONALD
Ray...
MAC RAY KROC
And it’s easy as pie to prepare.

Just stir the packet contents into
eight ounces of water and stir.
We see, on his desk, a sample VANILLA SHAKE that he’s made.

72.
MAC MCDONALD
Do you hear yourself? Do you hear
what you’re saying?
RAY KROC
I really think it’s a crackerjack
idea.
MAC MCDONALD
Absolutely not.
Why? MAC
RAY KROC MCDONALD
I have no interest in a
milkshake that contains no
milk.
RAY KROC
At least give a try. I’m telling
you, you’ll never be able to tell
the--
MAC MCDONALD
A powdered shake flies in the face
of everything McDonald’s stands
for.
Which is? MAC
RAY KROC MCDONALD
Freshness. Quality.

Value. MAC
RAY KROC MCDONALD
A McDonald’s milkshake is made
from 100 percent real milk.
RAY KROC
You don’t want to save a bundle?
I know I sure wouldn’t mind
boosting my bottom--
MAC MCDONALD
Milk. Milk. Now and forever.
ON KROC-- shut down.

73.
INT. KROC’S HOUSE - ENTRANCE/LIVING ROOM - LATER
Kroc enters the house, still steaming from the call with the
brothers. He hangs up his coat and makes a beeline for the
liquor cabinet, pours himself a stiff drink. As he gulps it
down, he’s startled to see... Ethel, sitting in a recliner
in a corner of the darkened room.
RAY KROC
Ethel.
She glares at him in stony silence, even stonier than usual.
RAY KROC (CONT’D)

What are you doing up?
ETHEL KROC
A man called today.
ETHEL
Oh?
RAY KROC KROC
From a bank.
RAY KROC
(nervous)
Alright...
ETHEL KROC
Midway Savings & Loan.
RAY KROC
What’d they want?
ETHEL KROC
You don’t know?
RAY KROC
Of course not.
(BEAT)
Why would I?
She gives a slow, unnerving nod.

KROC RAY
Ray?
ETHEL KROC
Yes, Ethel?
ETHEL KROC
Did you mortgage our home?
74.
ON KROC-- a deer in the headlights.

RAY KROC
What?
LIVING ROOM - LATE NIGHT
Kroc banished to the living-room couch. He tosses and

turns, trying to get comfortable. He rolls over, revealing
a NASTY WELT on his temple.
INT. KROC’S OFFICE - NEXT DAY
Kroc is on the phone. The welt is covered with a bandage.
RAY KROC
I specifically said the office is
the best place to reach me!
INT. MIDWAY SAVINGS & LOAN - CONTINUOUS
On the other end is Harvey C. Peltz, his

home-mortgage officer. (Intercut as necessary.)
LOAN OFFICER
I tried you there, Mr. Kroc.
Numerous times.
RAY KROC
You have no right to call me at my
home. It’s a blatant invasion of
privacy.
LOAN OFFICER
With all due respect, sir, when
you’re three months behind on your
payments, you don’t get to pick and
choose where you’re contacted.
SHORT TIME LATER--
Kroc sits his desk staring at the ever-growing pile of

bills. The intercom buzzes.
(O.S.) RAY
Sir?
KROC
Yes, June.
JUNE MARTINO
75.
JUNE MARTINO (O.S.)

There’s a Harry Sonneborn here to
see you.
Who? JUNE MARTINO

RAY KROC (O.S.)
He says you don’t know him.
RAY KROC
Is he with the bank?
(O.S.) RAY
No, sir.
JUNE MARTINO KROC
Then who’s he with?
JUNE MARTINO (O.S.)

(BEAT, asking
Sonneborn) Illinois Beef.
RAY KROC
The meat company?
(O.S.) RAY
Yes.
JUNE MARTINO KROC
Tell him no thanks, we already have

a supplier.
HARRY SONNEBORN (O.S.)

(commandeers intercom,
booming baritone)
Just let me talk to you already!
INT. KROC’S OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER
Settling into a chair is Harry Sonneborn, the patrician

gentleman who we (and Kroc, vaguely) recognize from
their exchange at the Des Plaines McDonald’s a few days
earlier.
HARRY SONNEBORN
So McDonald’s.
RAY KROC
You’re wasting your time. We’re
perfectly satisfied with our
current supplier.
76.
HARRY SONNEBORN
I’m not looking to sell you meat.
I’m looking to work for you.
RAY KROC
I beg your pardon?
HARRY SONNEBORN
I’ve been keeping an eye on your
company for some time, and I must
say I’m extremely impressed. I see
a bright future for McDonald’s--and
I want to be a part of it.
RAY KROC
I’m flattered. Really and truly.
But I’m unfortunately not in any
position to hire you.
HARRY SONNEBORN
You lack the authority?
RAY KROC
I lack the money.
ON SONNEBORN-- nodding, absorbing.
HARRY SONNEBORN
Then you definitely need to hire
me.
He hands Kroc a business card. Kroc looks at it...
HARRY J. SONNEBORN - VICE-PRESIDENT OF FINANCES -

THE ILLINOIS BEEF COMPANY
HARRY SONNEBORN (CONT’D)

I want $100 a week.
Kroc looks up, taken aback.
RAY KROC
My secretary gets more.
HARRY SONNEBORN
That’s alright. You’ll give me a
big raise when I turn this ship
around.
ON KROC-- blown away by this man’s confidence and audacity.

Now say yes and show me your books.
77.
SHORT TIME LATER--
Kroc and Sonneborn sit in front of the ledger, poring

over it, Sonneborn asking questions.
SHORT TIME LATER--
Kroc closes the ledger.
HARRY SONNEBORN
So to summarize, you’ve got a
negligible revenue stream, no cash
reserves, and an albatross of a
contract that gives you no autonomy
and requires you to go through a
maddeningly slow approval process
to enact any changes--if approved
at all. Am I missing anything?
RAY KROC
I believe that covers it.
ON SONNEBORN-- processing for a BEAT.
HARRY SONNEBORN
Tell me about the land.
The land? HARRY

RAY KROC SONNEBORN
The land, the buildings. How that
whole side of it works.
RAY KROC
It’s pretty simple, really. The
franchise operator finds a piece
of land he likes, takes out a
lease,
usually a 20-year. Then he gets a
construction loan, puts up the
building, and off he goes.
HARRY SONNEBORN
So the franchisee picks the
location. He selects the property.
Kroc nods.

You’re not involved? You have no
say?
78.
RAY KROC
Why would I?
HARRY SONNEBORN
So you supply the training, the
system, the operational know-how,
and he’s responsible for the rest.
Kroc nods, unsure why he’s so interested in all of

this. ON SONNEBORN-- nodding, processing. He seems
bothered.
RAY KROC
Is there a problem?
SONNEBORN
A big one.
RAY KROC
Which is?
HARRY
HARRY SONNEBORN
That you don’t seem to realize

what business you’re in. You’re
not in
the burger business... You’re in
the real-estate business.
ON KROC-- confused.

You don’t build an empire off a
1.4 percent cut of a 15-cent
burger.
You build it by owning the land
upon which that burger is cooked.
Kroc seems intrigued, interested to hear more.

What you ought to be doing is
buying up plots of land and then
turning around and leasing them
to franchisees, who as a
condition of their deal should
be permitted to
lease from you and you only. This
will provide you with two things:
First, a steady, upfront revenue
stream. Money flows in before the
first stake is in the ground. And
second, greater capital for
expansion. Which in turn will
fuel further land acquisition,
which in turn will fuel further
expansion.
And so on and so on and so on.
79.
ON KROC-- listening with his jaw on the floor. This guy is
a financial genius.

This model not only gives you money
but something I suspect you crave
even more... control. Control over
the franchisee: Fail to uphold
quality standards, we cancel your
lease. And even more important,
control over Dick and Mac McDonald:
Their power stops at the building’s
foundation; yours goes all the way
to the soil.
An evangelical smile spreads across Sonneborn’s face.

Land. That’s where the money is.
And the power. He who controls the
land controls the company.
ON KROC-- thunderstruck. It’s the most brilliant thing

he’s ever heard, the answer to all his problems.

Any questions?
SONNEBORN
Just one.
RAY KROC
Yes?
RAY KROC
HARRY
Where am I going to get the money?
HARRY SONNEBORN
To buy land?
Kroc nods.

(confident smile)
Leave that to me.
MONTAGE:
The Harry & Ray Show. Sonneborn and Kroc jumping into action:
--Sonneborn taking meetings with BANKERS AND INVESTORS in

New York City. Confidently presenting his sweeping vision
to conference rooms full of heavy hitters.

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THE FOUNDER (4.4.14) - Rob Siegel

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THE FOUNDER

Agent: Gregory McKnight

The kitchen of a drive-in restaurant outside St. Louis. It’s

ON THE OWNER-- pondering thoughtfully.

EXT. ED’S DRIVE-IN - PARKING LOT - SHORT TIME LATER

Kroc lugs the heavy Mulitmixer back to his car. He lifts

INT. KROC’S CAR - MOMENTS LATER

Kroc sits in his car checking his APPOINTMENT BOOK. His

He checks his watch. It’s ​12:05​. He turns on the car,

INT. KROC’S CAR - SHORT TIME LATER

KROC’S POV, the view out his windshield: a rowdy

Kroc is the oldest customer by a mile--and seemingly the

She JUMPS/SQUEALS, startled. The tray of Cokes goes FLYING

(re: Kroc, soaked)

Dennis scampers off toward his pack of laughing friends.

ON KROC-- looking down at the pool of bubbly brown liquid

No one hears him.

INT. MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT

ANGLE ON the pants drying on the shower’s curtain rod.

RAY KROC (O.S.)

RAY KROC (CONT’D)

Through the phone, a tiny passive-aggressive sigh.

RAY KROC (CONT’D)

ETHEL KROC (O.S.)

ETHEL KROC (O.S.)

ETHEL KROC (O.S.)

SHORT TIME LATER--

SHORT TIME LATER--

Kroc, in pajamas, stands before a PORTABLE PHONOGRAPH.

SHORT TIME LATER--

Kroc lies in bed in the darkened room, eyes closed.

ANGLE ON record sleeve next to the phonograph: ​“THE POWER

The sound of SNORING brings us back to Kroc. Out cold.

INT. JOE’S DRIVE-IN - KITCHEN - NEXT DAY

The kitchen of another drive-in, Kroc pitching to the

Kroc lugs the sample Multimixer back to his

car. INT. KROC’S CAR - SHORT TIME LATER

Kroc is pulled up to a customer spot in front of Joe’s

He looks at his watch. It’s ​12:45​. He HONKS, shouting out

He trails off as a female CARHOP approaches with a tray.

He’s shouting into the void.

EXT. MERRIMAN’S DRIVE-IN - LATER

Another drive-in. Kroc heaves his Multimixer into his trunk.

INT. PAY PHONE - SHORT TIME LATER

A pay phone across the street from Merriman’s. A

JUNE MARTINO (O.S.)

A modest office in a Chicago high-rise. At the reception

She grabs a pile of messages off the desk.

JUNE MARTINO (CONT’D)

What the heck kind of drive-in

SHORT TIME LATER--

Kroc pours a few nickels into the pay phone, dials a

YOUNG MALE EMPLOYEE (O.S.)

YOUNG MALE EMPLOYEE (O.S.)

YOUNG MALE EMPLOYEE (O.S.)

MAC MCDONALD (O.S.)

In the background, someone shouts something to Mac.

ON KROC-- flabbergasted. Another background shout.

MAC MCDONALD (CONT’D)

He checks his watch. It’s 12:05. He turns on the car,

ANGLE ON record sleeve next to the phonograph: “THE POWER

He looks at his watch. It’s 12:45. He HONKS, shouting out

Kroc at the front of the line. He checks his watch. 1:23.

He looks up at the MENU BOARD. It has just four items: